Genesis 2:18 English Standard Version (ESV) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

We begin life alone. We are formed in the womb alone. When we enter this world we are placed in the hands of those who love us. From that moment we are never alone again.

Then why so some of us enter into a crowded room and feel alone? What is it about us that causes us to feel lonely when we are not? Rather than try to explain complicated psychological conditions let us keep this phenomenon in the spiritual realm.

Perhaps we are spiritually alone. Perhaps God is calling to us to be in a close personal relationship with Him. When mankind is born into the world we are all spiritually dead. Our spirit is quickened by God when we are born again. This quickening means we will never be alone again.

Hebrews 13:5 English Standard Version (ESV) Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Let us not blame money for the problem. Our affections can be drawn away from Christ by many things, perhaps anything. If we ignore our responsibility in any relationship we will eventually feel alone. The things of the world cannot love us. If our affections have wandered away from Christ, we will feel alone even when we are not.

Many have witnessed that even in service we can get so caught up in obedience that we neglect the personal side of our relationship with Christ. Many rich have allowed the pursuit of wealth to ruin their family life. Children feel estranged and wives look for affection elsewhere.

Not so with Christ. If we stop listening, He will stop talking until we turn and pay attention to our relationship with Him. That creates spiritual loneliness which can only be corrected by us.

Proverbs 8:33 English Standard Version (ESV) Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.

The Hebrew word here for neglect is pāraʿ which has a biblical outline of usage to lead or act as a leader. The second usage is to let go, let loose, ignore, let alone.

Yesterday we discussed the issues of having multiple accountability partners and the needs related to the condition of the heart. Trying to demonstrate the biblical encouragement in holding to that principle is not as easy as just saying “do it”. Needs are identified because we get involved.

Why this issue of neglect has been chosen to demonstrate the need for accountability is because of what neglect does to the condition of our hearts. It leads to dissatisfaction and eventually distancing ourselves from the very people that God has put in our lives to make this life in Christ richer.

Over the decades we might have noticed a certain amount of apathy among those who call themselves Christians. They might maintain the title for themselves by attending church only on sacred holidays. They neglect service because they were not served.

In the earliest days of the church there were clearly defined needs. We have records of sacrifice and service that are unparalleled today. Today church rolls may swell to the thousands but if we look closely we find only a small core of believers try desperately to serve the needs of the many.

If we do not get involved we will never know what is missing that we as individual member of the body of Christ might be capable of doing to serve one another.

This message will not reach those who attend church only twice a year. If they neglect to gather together there is no expectation that they will receive instruction from a stranger who is on a journey of discover himself.

We are not on this journey alone.